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For most of us, reliable home internet is a must for daily life. But it doesn’t come cheap. Internet and cable service — often bundled together — costs the typical U.S. household $121 a month, making it many Americans’ biggest monthly bill after their rent/mortgage and auto loans, according to the latest bill payment data collected by doxoINSIGHTS. And according to a March survey by CNET, 63% of U.S. adults paying for home internet saw their annual costs rise by an average of $195. More than half reported unreliable service, too. So what? Just because remote work, Netflix, and online shopping aren’t negotiable in your household doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying whatever your internet service provider (ISP) is charging. Here’s how you can potentially lower your costs.

•   Compare ISPs and haggle (nicely.) If you have other providers in your market (search your zip code here,) shop around and watch for promotions that lower your bill at least temporarily. Found a better price? Call your current provider, be polite, and ask them to match it. If the first rep can’t help, try again or ask for a manager.

•   Stop renting your router. Most people (71%) rent their router or gateway from their ISP. Buying your own can save money and give you more control.

•   Check/lower your internet speed. If you regularly stream 4K videos and rely on Zoom meetings for your job, paying more for high-speed internet may be worth the cost. But if your needs are more basic, like scrolling through Facebook or occasionally streaming Spotify, you might be able to downgrade to a slower (and cheaper) speed. Either way, use a free tool like speedtest.net to make sure you’re getting the speed you pay for.

•   Consider bundling (or unbundling). Getting internet within a package that also includes your TV or phone service can save money, but only if you use those extras enough. Otherwise, you might be paying for things you don’t need.

•   Use auto pay or a cash-back credit card. Many ISPs offer discounts for setting up automatic payments. (Just keep enough money in your account to avoid overdrafts.) And if using a credit card with, say, 2% cash back, can effectively feel like a discount.

•   Give your bill a regular check-up and watch your data usage. Review your bill each month for sneaky fees, expired promos, or extra charges. Drop services you don’t use and question anything that looks off. Many plans also have data caps that can trigger fees or slowdowns if you go over. If that happens often, consider switching to an unlimited data plan or cutting back your usage.

•   Explore financial assistance. Check if you qualify for the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program, which offers up to $9.25 off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services.

Related Reading

Best and Worst Home Internet Providers (Consumer Reports) Want to Cut the Cable Cord? Here's How to Switch to Streaming (CNET) The Pros And Cons Of Bundles (CableCompare.com)

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